I was looking forward to this as undoubtedly there is still so much to learn about the ancient Egyptians and so many more discoveries to make. However, the title was misleading as the finds made during this film shed little light on Hani and no background information or history of him was explored. Instead, despite the lead archaeologists pontificating that things had "moved on" from Indiana Jones - that this was a modern dig , we were presented with scenes straight out of...Indiana Jones! I watched with my mouth open at the unprofessional way they hacked into mounds, chambers and sarcophagi. Cringed at the lack of scientific method or care. It was clear, despite the pompous protestations of the egotistical lead that this was a dig for "Egyptians " that it was really a hunt for a Tutankhamen-like find to bolster his own fame. In the course of the search, some wonderful finds were made, but little explanation was given about them. The papyrus discovery was major but little time was spent on it - I could easily have forgone the shots of the cigar smoking and backslapping scenes to give more time to substance. How were these finds being recorded? Preservation? Why were some mummies left - even though we could still glean knowledge from them? Simple...not 'important ' enough. Constantly we are informed that such work should be carried out by Egyptian archaeologists and clearly these men have a few chips on their shoulders regarding foreign teams. However, judging by this film I was left feeling that the people and artifacts still buried in the sands of Egypt deserve better. They deserve the attention of real experts and archaeologists who are primarily interested in them and not just the glory. At the moment the experts are not Egyptian and if egos could be put to one side, joint excavations would be the best way forward.
Unknown: The Lost Pyramid
(2023)
The ancient Egyptians deserve better
13 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers